We finished up Session #4 of the Life Manual for Men today at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. Last night a guy made the decision to leave the Mission. This happens sometimes and it makes a lot of us sad, but we have to let go.
          We all will experience rejection and abandonment in our lives. Learning how to deal with it helps minimize future rejections. When we're rejected repeatedly, we begin to subconsciously expect rejection. That expectation causes us to actually push people away before the rejection actually happens.
          God promises repeatedly in the Bible that He will never leave us or forsake us. Focusing on His love for us helps us to understand how worthy we are to be loved by Him and others. Getting comfortable in our own skin will help us be comfortable around others.
          We talked about the Blessing of Obedience and the fruit of following God. We wrapped up our session with a study on planning and preparation. Chapter 46 in the book "49 X 3:16" is called "Be Prepared" You can read a section of it in the pictures below. The men were urged to be grateful for what they have and be resilient when things aren't perfect. Sometimes we wait too long for perfect opportunities to appear and they never do.
          Trust God, take a step and then trust Him again. Life isn't meant to be lived impatiently. Be still and wait on God. We had some great interaction with many wisdom filled comments and advice from some of the men today. As for the guy who left yesterday, we have to let go and continue to pray. Many guys do find their way back when they realize what a great opportunity they have at the Sunshine Rescue Mission.
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for  somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #strongresilientmen #SRM #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          Sometimes it can take several weeks to cover one session in our Life manual for Men. Our teaching time can be filled with teachable moments that appear as "suddenly's."
          Session #4 has taken two weeks. We covered a story called "Will The Men Come Back?" last week. Today was fill ed with stories about following God's lead in creating good habits. You can read the story and see the entirety of Session #4 by clicking on this link: LIFE IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT YOU   
          We read from a book by Mac Anderson who is the Founder of Successories. The book is called "The Essence of Leadership." A page about habits can be found in our picture gallery below. Another quote we highlighted from the book is this: "Inch by inch, life's a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard."
            In the middle of a story about Jonah, a man walked by on the sidewalk outside the open windows. Our custom is to say hello to everyone who walks by. I yelled; "It's good to see ya! The man looked up and said "Hey." That stopped our Jonah story dead in its tracks and stated a "hay story."
          A woman was trapped under a huge bale of hay. Two men tried to lift it and went to get more help. Almost suffocating, the trapped woman muffled the words "Just cut the string. Please just cut the string!" No one could hear her. The men returned with help and in the nick of time lifted the bale off the woman.
          The woman almost died. If the men had heard her voice, saying "Just cut the string." they could have saved a lot of suffering and trouble. If you cut the string the hay bale would fall apart. Sometimes life or death can be separated by something as small as a string. Sometimes a good life or a bad life can be separated by one small habit.
          After the "Hay Story" we returned to the Jonah story. Pastor Daniel Williamson from Church For The Nations Flagstaff had a great message during his Sunday Sermon. We'll paraphrase one of his main points here: "God will help you learn by instruction. If that doesn't work, He will give you and experience to teach you the lesson." 
          Jonah was given instructions to go and deliver a message to a leader and his people. Jonah refused and got on a ship to run away in the opposite direction. God sent a whale to swallow Jonah and his plans. If you don't follow God's way, He will give you an experience that may be unpleasant!
          Man Cave leaders are given the instruction of following the Life Manual for Men, but they are encouraged to fill  the Cave with their own personal experiences. All men are invited to share all parts of their lives in a safe place of transparency. As far as personal information; what happens in the man Cave - stays in the Man Cave! 
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we. As always, we appreciate your comments and questions.

          Will The Men Come Back? That's the opening question and title of the story in SMGD Session #4. We read the story out loud at the Sunshine Rescue Mission. We like to teach using as many learning styles as we can.
          Fatherlessness happens when men disappear and children are left with a hole in their hearts. The story ends with a plea: "Come back! Save the women and children!" 
          Session #4 is posted below for you to use in your own Man Cave. Please contact us with any questions or thoughts. Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
​#mancave #strongresilientmen #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW

          There's a lot of good folks in the community who do a lot of good things that you never hear about. You might think that guys in a Man Cave sit around, drink coffee and study the Bible. That's only part of what they do!
          If you only study the Bible and don't live it, you might as well be a stuffed animal that never makes its way into a kids hands. The Bible is a living Word lived out through our actions. A group of kind ladies (who also study the Bible,) have started a Community Outreach Funnel. They collect useful items like clothes and toys and share them with folks who could use them.
          The guys in Man Cave are big on Community Engagement. They love giving things away and serving with their whole hearts, minds and strength. Yes, there were women's clothes in the Man Cave, but were timely gifts for some special ladies. Why are the ladies special? Because they are daughters of a Father who loves them to heaven and back. 
          So you might be wondering where these gifts ended up. Some of them went to the Hope Chest and others went to the Window Rock Christian Center in the Navajo Nation. We've posted some information about them below.  
          Man Cave is big on collaboration. One of the Caves is based at Church For The Nations Flagstaff which  sponsors Compassion Ministries  If you have donations, you can rest assured that they won't sit in the Man Cave. We get them into the hands and hearts of folks who will appreciate your generosity. We can be reached at 716-830-8240.

HOPE CHEST
          At Children’s HopeChest, we empower orphaned and impoverished children and their communities through relationships that cultivate holistic transformation and sustainability. Our unique Community-to-Community model connects communities in the U.S. and Canada to communities overseas with a high population of orphaned and impoverished children.
We seek to bring lasting, positive transformation to those we serve, and in turn, our communities in North America are impacted as well.
Purpose: What do we do?

• Children’s HopeChest seeks to glorify God by effecting positive, lasting change in the lives of vulnerable children around the world. Specifically, we engage communities in long-term partnerships that:
• Empower local leaders to provide food, medical care, and hope to their communities, while sharing the gospel.​Work with local leaders to reduce, and eventually eliminate, poverty by creating self-sufficiency for every child and every family in their community.
• Support partnering communities as they directly engage with overseas communities to create sustainable transformation using healthy international development practices.
• Address the complex causes of poverty, including material, spiritual, emotional, social, economic, and educational needs.

WINDOW ROCK CHRISTIAN CENTER
Mission Statement Isaiah. 60:1 "Arise. For gross darkness has covered the land, But thy light has come"
          Our Mission is to reach out to all our Navajo people here on the Navajo Nation and to all our Native Brothers and Sisters, Restoring the broken hearts, and bring healing to the mind, soul, and body.
          To encourage, to empower and equip. to reach out to communities for Christ, Bringing Discipleship and relationship to bring change into their lives, homes, and communities with a Bible Base lifestyle and integrity, Accountability.
          Our vision is to reach out to every single person who wants change to instill in their lives what is truth and right and to instill into their own  children's  lives so that this vision keeps going for generations to come living a bible base life.
          Our ministry is solely financed by individuals and Churches. If you would like to support us in reaching out to our Native people through Christ Jesus as Navajo Pastors we are able to go into dry areas and bring the Word of the Lord to broken people, (speaking to them in the Navajo Language), restoring what has been broken they hear from a Native Pastor what God can do in their lives and to bring change and salvation in their homes and lives.
           https://www.windowrockcc.org/

Authors Note: We often cover relevant topics at Man Cave as they happen in current events. We call this "POWER-MOMENT MENTORING," which means we mentor in the power of the current emotional moment. When we notice that guys are struggling with issues or have overwhelming questions about current events, we suspend regular programming and go where we nee to go. 

           Mental illness can be permanent or temporary. Sometimes medications and counseling will help folks overcome the mental illness or learn to cope with it. Too often people blame demonic possession as the cause of strange behaviors. Life is a series of mountain hikes where we learn how to overcome struggle and embrace conflict as the most excellent way of growth.  
           Mental illness is more common that demon possession. How can you tell the difference? You pray and wait for the Holy Spirit’s revelation.
           Demons look for bodies to inhabit or possess - that are human or animal. Humans can open themselves up to demonic influences through many things; the occult, alcohol, drugs, horoscopes, mediums, astrology, Palm readers, clairvoyants or psychics are only a few examples.
           Oppression is a heavy weight pushing us down in an attempt to keep us from sharing the Good News of Christ. Oppression can be brought on by guilt, evil people or circumstances. Oppression can be brought on by ourselves if we dabble in things that are ungodly. The devil will use oppression in an attempt to gain possession.You have power to stop the oppression through the written Word. 

             "Listen! I gave you power to walk on snakes and scorpions.
              I gave you more power than the Enemy has.
             Nothing will hurt you."
              Luke 10:19 ICB

              "And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power.
               Then Jesus went around doing good and healing
               all who were oppressed by the devil,
               for God was with him." 
              Acts 10:38 NLT

          Some folks have the ability through Christ to cast demons out of people. It’s extremely important to stay humble Christ is doing His work through you. Don’t get haughty or prideful, it’s not you, it’s Christ." It's important to know the difference between possession and oppression. The devil is behind all illnesses - anything that steals, kills or destroys life.
          Unity in Christ will help anyone with any illness. The devil fights against unity because he knows there's strength in unity. There is power in wearing God's armor.
                    Wear the Full Armor of God     
     Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his great power. 
     Wear the full armor of God.
     Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s evil tricks. 
     Our fight is not against people on earth.
     We are fighting against the rulers and authorities and the powers of this world’s darkness.
     We are fighting against the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. 
     That is why you need to get God’s full armor.
     Then on the day of evil you will be able to stand strong.
     And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. 
     So stand strong, with the belt of truth tied around your waist.
     And on your chest wear the protection of right living. 
     And on your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. 
     And also use the shield of faith.
     With that you can stop all the burning arrows of the Evil One. 
     Accept God’s salvation to be your helmet.
     And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. 
     Pray in the Spirit at all times.
     Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need.
     To do this you must always be ready.
     Never give up.
      Always pray for all God’s people."
     Ephesians 6:10-18 ICB

(Note:The rest of this article contains our notes. Please feel free to comment or ask questions.)

          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW
​  
[The following was copied from Active Faith Devotional on BibleGateway
“He brought out the most physically impressive warrior in his ranks and also the smallest and least conspicuous soldier. In front of the great warrior he placed a small scraggly pony and in front of the smaller soldier he placed a mighty war horse. He then gave each the task of pulling out the horse’s tail, but by two very different methods. The stout soldier was instructed to pull off the tail in one clump while the small soldier was told to do so one hair at a time. You can guess the outcome. It was the weaker soldier who triumphed over the war horse and the mighty soldier who failed despite all his apparent advantages. A horse’s tail is strong because of its many strands.
 
A wise leader will succeed by attending to the many seemingly small principles for life’s success offered by God. These principles will be like the multitude of strands on the horse’s tail making it impervious to being overpowered by brute force. A foolish person relies on individual gifts and personal strength; however, this is the epitome of weakness, because there is no unity of purpose supporting his efforts. Therefore, he stands alone. Leadership finds its strength by pulling together the many hairs of the horse’s tail.”]
 
“I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him. For as in one physical body we have many parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and individually we are parts one of another [mutually dependent on one another]. Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;”
Romans 12:1-6 AMPC
 
In mountain hiking, running, washing dishes, cleaning toilets or any other physically demanding activity, there comes a time when you feel like quitting. That’s when strong men keep going. You have to mentally push your body past exhaustion.  The strength of a team is in unity. The weakness of a team is in disunity. Alone we are all weak, together we are strong.
 
Your dreams and goals are the mountains of your lives. There will be peaks and valleys, storms and obstacles. Climb the mountains of life with Christ who gives you strength. What a friend we have in Jesus.
     Last week some guys from Man Cave hike to the top of Humphreys Peak 12, 633’. The guys  hiked and  watched each other’s backs. Sometimes we did a caterpillar hike to match each other’s speed. Sometimes we waited. They all waited for me at the top.
 
One sign said “Don’t cut the trail.” Too often in life we cut the trail and travel the way of no conflict. We won’t grow without conflict.
 
Trees were carved with a peace sign and Covid.
Why would someone use a type of destruction to a tree to carve a peace sign?
Why would someone carve a message of death into a live tree?

The following comments was copied from the Active Faith Devotional on BibleGateway
Run your own race! Hebrews 12:1-2
“THEREFORE THEN, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who have borne testimony to the Truth], let us strip off and throw aside every encumbrance (unnecessary weight) and that sin which so readily (deftly and cleverly) clings to and entangles us, and let us run with patient endurance and steady and active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us, Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps. 110:1.]”
Hebrews 12:1-2 AMPC
Don’t compare your race to anybody else’s. God has given us all our own race to run. Do not get distracted by the enemy or by comparing. Stay focused on Jesus and what HE has for YOU. Don’t look to the side or look back, keep your eyes focused straight ahead on Jesus.
2. Run to win! 1 Corinthians 9:24
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-25 MSG
Our God is a God of excellence. He is the best and He wants the best for us. Whatever your race may be, run it to the best of your ability with intentions of winning! Give God your best as you pursue whatever He has for you. Don’t run just to be running. Run to win!
3. Trust God when you feel like stopping. Isaiah 40:31 HSCB
“But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. [Heb. 12:1-3.]”
Isaiah 40:31 AMPC
We all face times when we feel like giving up. Or times when we are running through life and it seems like we aren’t getting closer to our goals. These are the times that we must trust God. We have to trust that He is leading us on the path that is best for us and that He will take care of us. When we learn how to trust God regardless of our circumstance, He renews our strength and allows us to keep running!

          A van load of guys left the Sunshine Rescue Mission (SRM) and headed to the NAOMI House.
The guys were part of the Man Cave program that teaches men Biblical Leadership and personal accountability.
          The NAOMI House is a safe haven for children from the Navajo Nation who've fallen on hard times. Many children all across the United States have fallen into the emptiness of not having an active father in their lives. While the Staff at NAOMI do an excellent job in their roles as House Parents, there's always a need for a few more good men.
          This was the first act of Community Engagement for the Man Cave guys. The purpose of this trip was to do some property maintenance and yard work. Their interactions with the children were minimal, but sometimes actions speak louder than words. One of the most important things a father can do for a family is simply show up.
          Men from the SRM Man Cave showed up big time, and now they're are eager to return. Relationship building is best accomplished one heart beat at a time. More maintenance needs to be done, but we're also planning a game day and other events to serve the children. The heart beat of compassion will continue.
          YWAP would like to thank the Sunshine Rescue Mission and Hope Cottage Flagstaff and Church for the Nations - Flagstaff for their collaborative efforts.
          You can help the NAOMI House.by visiting their website and getting to know their needs. Children need more parent-like mentors in their lives. Will you step up and share a heart beat? Please watch and share the video that shares a shockingly true story. Click here to see the video.
​                    http://www.thenaomihouse.org/ 
                    928-587-5737
                    [email protected]
          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#ywap4children #ywap4Life #JLYASDW

          We're proud of the guys from the Man Cave at Sunshine Rescue Mission. Jonathan, Mike and Ryan - being men of strength, resilience and perseverance, made their way to top of Arizona’s tallest mountain - Humphreys Peak 12,633’. They hiked the hardest and longest trail from Lockett Meadow to get there.
          SRM is known as the abbreviation for the Sunshine Rescue Mission. At Man Cave, we have our own abbreviation of SRM - “STRONG RESILIENT MEN.” We spent two days camping and engaging in some Biblical Leadership study. We read from the Bible at our campsite and talked about Christ on the way up the mountain.
          God has a very cool way of speaking through signs in the woods. One of the signs said, "PLEASE DON'T CUT TRAIL." We could write a textbook on what that sign might mean in our daily lives. Too often on our life journeys, we find the going too tough, look for a shortcut or quit. Relationships, businesses, education and many other programs become unfinished trails as we look for the path of least resistance. The journey finished becomes the road less traveled. 
          The Man Cave guys refused to quit on a long, hard journey. They hiked almost 16 miles and gained over 4,000' of elevation as they hiked up the 12th highest peak in the United States. Many folks call the hike up Humphreys as "One of the hardest things I've ever done." 
          Life is all about hiking up mountains and descending into valleys. The trails of life are not easy, especially for those who reach for their fullest potential. God has a plan for your life. He will also help you carry out that plan. Jesus knew His trail included the horribleness of the Cross, but He didn't cut the trail. At Man Cave, guys learn how to stay on the hard hikes of life.
​          Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody. Jesus loves you and so do we.
#mancave #srm #ywap4Christ #JLYASDW